• Display

an Eldis Resource

Since independence in 1966, Botswana has been a non-racial, multiparty democracy operating within the framework of a constitution, which enshrines freedom of speech, of association, and of worship, and affords all citizens equal rights. However, much has changed since that time. This paper reports on the state of development in Botswana over the past 10 to 15 years. It looks at whether democracy has led to improvements in people’s lives and also investigates the views of ordinary citizens on development and democracy.

The research notes the follwoing:

• The Constitution of Botswana provides for democratic governance, with three principal organs of the state, the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary. The operations of the three branches of government are subject to internal accountability mechanisms. 
• Citizen participation in state processes has been integral to Botswana’s growth and development and a large percentage of Batswanans appear to be satisfied that democracy works in their country. 
• Botswana is perceived as a capable state because it has made considerable progress in delivering public goods and services for development, poverty reduction, ensuring security, and in maintaining an open democratic political system. 
• Botswana’s economic growth as measured by GDP has been one of the world’s highest; this economic record has been built on the foundation of using revenue generated from diamond mining to sustain economic growth. Nonetheless, hidden behind Botswana’s healthy economic growth are high levels of inequality, poverty, and unemployment.

The paper assesses the nature of democracy in Botswana, and whether democratic and socio-economic changes have changed the way citizens feel about governance and democracy and socio-economic progress in their country. It concludes that:

• Civil society is viewed as weak in Botswana, which must have an impact on the formulation of development plans and the identification of local needs and concerns, and may be a concern to human rights activists even though citizens were of the view that basic freedoms and rights were either the same or had improved. 
• With respect to the provision of services such as healthcare, education and basic services, Botswana has made steady progress. However, with the spread of HIV/AIDs, life expectancy has declined and government spending on programmes to combat the high mortality rate due to HIV/AIDs deaths has increased since 2005.
  
  

• Full text of document
• Publisher details
• Send to a friend